Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses the airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules related to the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft to ensure safety. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 180/7 Amendment 2, which pertains to the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the undercarriage attachment bolts, specifically requiring the replacement of AN7-20A bolts and nuts that attach the inboard end of the undercarriage spring legs. The directive aims to ensure that these critical components are maintained at a high standard of safety to prevent failure and maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with specific intervals for replacement depending on the aircraft's time in service.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 pertaining to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Cessna 180 series aeroplanes operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation mandates adherence to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft. The directive AD/CESSNA 180/7 Amendment 2 focuses on the critical requirement to replace undercarriage attachment bolts and nuts, ensuring that all affected aircraft maintain their airworthiness by adhering to the stipulated compliance intervals. This regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions but extends its application through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The requirement is to replace the AN7-20A bolts and nuts attaching the inboard end of the undercarriage spring legs with new ones at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service, with specific timelines provided for aircraft that have already exceeded 500 hours since the last replacement.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, one of which pertains to the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/7 Amendment 2, mandates the replacement of certain undercarriage attachment bolts. According to Section 11/71, the requirement is to remove the AN7-20A bolts and nuts that attach the inboard end of the undercarriage spring legs, replacing them with new AN7-20A bolts and new nuts (Section 11/71). This directive applies to all 180 series aircraft and is designed to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these models. The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear and straightforward. Operators of Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the specified bolts and nuts are replaced as directed. For aircraft that have not yet reached 500 hours of time in service since the last bolt replacement, this replacement must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours (Section 11/71). For aircraft that have exceeded this limit, the replacement must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1971 and then continue as per the aforementioned intervals (Section 11/71). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt provided, CASA has the authority to impose fines and other sanctions on operators who fail to adhere to these safety requirements. Such penalties serve as a deterrent to ensure that all operators maintain their aircraft in accordance with the established safety standards, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the aviation industry and the safety of all passengers and crew.